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[Doctor Gollum]

Read the guide in the Maintenance section, then remove in order...
1. Glovebox complete.
2. Trim panel from beneath Glovebox, where footwell vents exit.
3. Vent ducting from under Glovebox, one clip and pull out.
4. Undo centre console from tunnel and slide back to rear seat.
5. Undo support bar across end of matrix.
6. Undo plumbing connection inside footwell and remove matrix as per guide.
7. Refit in reverse etc...

Job jobbed

[polilara]

Thanks Doctor Gollum, I do my best and report soon, winter coming, here in Finland might be  -20 degrees in winter time so blocked heater matrix is not very welcome...

[STEMO]

If you've been putting 'chemicals' in the coolant to seal a leak, I'm sure you'll find lots of sludge everywhere you look.

[polilara]

Yes, I found it (sludge) also from the plastic "pressure tank" whatever you call it and changed it, too. Changing matrix seemed to be quite big job according to good guide found here. I try to flush the matrix first as in that plastic tank the sludge was not very tight. I changed the tank only as I broke mechanically the float system during cleaning it...

Perhaps I have to change cylinder head gaskets when next time changing timing belt. Leaking coolant from back corner in oil filter side. Then perhaps stem rubbers in the same time, I guess that worn rubbers is the reason that this engine is a real morning smoker (236 000 km behind).

[polilara]

Tried to flush, no help. have to do this:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90621.0

Guide is good but case seems quite "difficult" so how doable this really is. How much time needed what spares should be available O-rings etc. Is one weekend enough for this?

Any comments from you that made this are welcome, steering wheel is in left side here in Finland, understood easier than when the steering wheel in located in right side.

[Doctor Gollum]

At risk of repeating myself...

Read the guide in the Maintenance section, then remove in order...
1. Glovebox complete.
2. Trim panel from beneath Glovebox, where footwell vents exit.
3. Vent ducting from under Glovebox, one clip and pull out.
4. Undo centre console from tunnel and slide back to rear seat.
5. Undo support bar across end of matrix.
6. Undo plumbing connection inside footwell and remove matrix as per guide.
7. Refit in reverse etc...

Job jobbed

You shouldn't need to cut/remove/butcher much... Start with the above list making sure that the centre console is out of the way. Only cut what you need to, having first peeled back the covering if you must cut any of the plastic out cut carefully and you should be able to reattach the removed plastic with suitable glue and then use a spray carpet adhesive to stuck the covering back...

[polilara]

Thanks again Doctor Gollum, no problem, just would like to confirm that I can do this as " the real method involves removing the dash". Afraid that I break something, but OK, I will try.
Do you recommend original matrix or just any spare?

[Doctor Gollum]

I bought mine new, via ebay iirc, sourced from same place as radiator and aircon condenser... around £35 iirc

[polilara]

Good Price, heard that original is more than 300 euro. I was recommended to buy a Behr one.

[Doctor Gollum]

Good Price, heard that original is more than 300 euro. I was recommended to buy a Behr one.

Starter for ten...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSENS-Heater-Matrix-OE-Quality-72655-/112194178457?fits=Car+Make%3AVauxhall%7CModel%3AOmega&hash=item1a1f4b4d99:g:UFMAAOSwcLxYHQXN

[polilara]

Good Price, heard that original is more than 300 euro. I was recommended to buy a Behr one.

Starter for ten...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSENS-Heater-Matrix-OE-Quality-72655-/112194178457?fits=Car+Make%3AVauxhall%7CModel%3AOmega&hash=item1a1f4b4d99:g:UFMAAOSwcLxYHQXN

Thanks for good tip for new matrix. I already bought a BEHR one from local supplier. It was cheap but I think it is not a correct part. The width and height and in principal the length is the same as in the old one. The front end (where input and output located) is similar but the back end does not have the "returning" pipes. There is just a plastic end piece so the rubber end gasket with cuts with fits to the old one dos not fit to the new one. This rubber part also supports mechanically the matrix to its place. Are all these cheap matrix having this problem or do I just have a wrong part? Perhaps I could try to seal the back end with foam plastic etc. but this is something I really would not like to do. Please help.

Just info for Omega B (2001) owners with steering wheel in left side, changing heater matrix is not a very troublesome task. Just follow first what Doctor Gollum advised here and then utilize the guide in maintenance section. After having made a cut you just have to open three screws, one holding the pipes against matrix, the other supporting the pipes to frame and the third holding the matrix in its place. No other mechanical supports exists there. Then just pull matrix away. My Elegance model have a vinyl covering in the part of dash board I had to cut. I teared the vinyl first partly (very easily without heating etc.) away before cutting the plastic part so the vinyl can be glued back when job done.

[polilara]

I was too quick, the plastic cover in the back end of the new part was just a protection for transport but the new part is still not suitable as the "returning" pipes are all in the same position. In the original one every second is a bit aside...
So still wrong part.

[polilara]

Decided to buy original matrix as it seemed to have 12 pipes instead of 8 pipes like the cheaper ones. Perhaps needed here where we really have winter. In the package there was the rubber back sealing, O-rings, connecting screws and a black plastic bush having outer diameter 8 mm inner diameter 4.5 mm and length 6 mm. Does anybody know what this plastic part is and where to put it. I did not find that kind of piece when removing the old matrix.

[polilara]

Almost done, new heater is there and I am reassembling remaining parts. I have difficulties to refit  the part no. 5 (vent ducting under the glove box) in the matrix side. It says "click" when I push it to it to the heater but pops down very easily. Should I push it deeper. It is mechanically so soft that it is difficult to put more force to it. Is there any trick to put it deeper (like double click) or should duct tape be used here, please help!

[Doctor Gollum]

Shove it home and refit the retaining pin that's all it needs...